D9Firearms

One of the toughest choices to make when purchasing a rifle is deciding on which optic to chose.  Our goal is to evaluate as many as practical and without bankrupting ourselves to help provide you some insight in helping make that decision.  Optics are always a tough choice especially when trying to decide in the store if will it look right on your rifle, how is the light transmission, reliability, quality and performance when looking through it at something less than 100yds and in very bright light.  At this point they can all look good.  However, take it to the field some early morning or late afternoon and the real test begins.  One of the products we personally have been using for a couple of years now is the IOR Valdada.

IOR Valdada scopes are manufactured in Bucharest, Romania and use premium glass manufactured in Schott, Germany.  They have a hunting and tactical line, which only vary in the reticule and tube diameter selection.  The quality of optics is the same in both.  We have four variations of the tactical scopes that we currently use on our personal rifles and have been very pleased with each one.  When buying a scope of this quality one expects to pay but also demand more.  We have covered some of the manufacturer’s points and added a few of the benefits we have seen.

The first and obvious point is robust look it has.  The scope construction is constructed from a single piece of mil-spec alloy.  The elevation and windage turrets that adjust easily by finger, with positive tactile and audible clicks are clearly marked with white numbers to easily keep track of adjustments.  The turrets sit on a square portion of the scope adding to its industrial strength.  The scopes we use have side focus which makes for quick adjustment in a target rich and dynamic environment.  Another feature is the ocular adjustment for eye relief which allows perfect eye sight alignment for any shooter who would like to test out this piece of hardware.  IOR also provides industrial rings for mounting.  We use them as well as the Burris Signature Zee on our bolt gun.

When looking through the lens the first thing you notice is the MP-8 reticule and target clarity.  We have it in illuminated and non-illuminated.  The reticule is photo engraved on the glass and comes with several choices.  By engraving the reticule on the glass it eliminates the possibility of the cross hairs breaking lose from shock or any other mishap.  The MP-8 reticule has ½ and 1 mil engraved markings.  The optical glass is made in Schott, Germany, which is considered a leader in premium glass.  The Carl Zeiss T-3 system is used to coat the optics to reduce glare and maximize the light transmission.  This type of glass-manufacturing is also critical for the accuracy of the tactical reticules which are used for range finding and windage and elevation compensation.  This allows the IOR to follow the mil and 1/2-mil reticle marks to virtually perfect tolerances.  There is also a Lock Support System on the reticule mechanism that requires no adjustment.  Another important feature of the engraved reticule is the “cross hairs” will always appear to be the same size.

We have mounted our scopes on a variety of rifles.  Depending on the application we have chosen different magnification and tube diameters.  For our DPMS Sweet 16 Panther Bull in .223 we chose the 2×12x35 Illuminated w/MP-8 reticule.  This was a perfect choice for close in shooting or doing a little prairie dog shooting.  The 2x gives an a very wide view for close in shooting while dialing out to 12x allows us to see the beady little eyes of the bubonic carrying fur balls prior to seeing a red vaporous mist.  The 35mm tube is something very different and not widely implemented and will cost significantly more for the rings.  (Don’t go cheap.)  The 35mm definitely offers more light transmission and combined with the optics it’s awesome.  The illuminated reticule is very neat and definitely lends it’s self to very low light shooting conditions.  I’ve tested it.

We also have the fixed 10x mounted to two of our .308 rifles (of course they are a Tikka T3 Varmint and DPMS LR-308) which is an all around good choice for 100yd + shooting and the .308Win round.  We also have the 6-24×35 illuminated w/MP-8 reticule mounted to a 50BMG and all we can say is “It doesn’t matter how far or fast you run”.  (Point intended.)

Overall we feel IOR produces a very solid scope with excellent optics.  We would recommend IOR for certain applications and rifles.  The tactical scopes are very robust and seem well suited for AR style rifles and heavy bull barrel rifles that are going to be subjected to some abuse.  We haven’t tested the hunting line but we would expect the same performance only in a 1” tube.  This line of optics is not for everyone or rifle.  The economics are substantial but are justified by the quality.  However, if you are considering a tactical style optic from a more common manufacturer for a few dollars more we would recommend buying an IOR.

As always we hope the information provided assists you in your decision.  If you are interested in IOR for your rifle please contact us here at D9Firearms.  Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Here recently optics has become a hot topic at D9.  We recently updated one of our web pages covering optics.  What I thought would be a quick review on some issues to consider when purchasing optics turned out to be more like a dissertation.  As we discussed earlier when considering a rifle the optics should be part of the decision if not the first decision, since poor optics on a good rifle will still give you poor results.

However, one of our clients really took the long road to getting a top shelf high quality optic.  This client, we’ll only refer to as Gary, is somewhat a perfectionist and rightly so when it comes to outfitting one of our favorite rifles the Tikka T3 Varmint in .308Win.  He started with the Leopold 4×14x40 with the Boone & Crocket reticule.  After a field test he brought it back in.  There were two main issues; the mounting and the scope in general.  We had originally used the low aluminum rings that Tikka provided with the rifle and it just didn’t give him the look he wanted or the robust mounting.  Secondly after the field test, where he used it to shoot a doe, the scope didn’t quite meet his expectation.

So he went back to evaluating scopes and we went to solving the bases and rings problem.  Gary called back a few days later with a new selection, the Nikon Monarch UCC.  We in the mean time came up with a new mounting and went with Burris bases and Burris Signature Zee Rings.  By the time we were ready to reschedule Gary he called back and had changed courses.  This time he was pumped and could barely contain himself and confessed he blew the budget (we don’t know if he told his wife) and went all out on a Zeiss 4×14x44MC Conquest scope.

I knew some about Zeiss and have only looked through them in the big box stores and was always impressed.  Well he brought it over on Sunday afternoon and I was very impressed especially once we got in on the rifle.  We went to work getting everything mounted, leveled, aligned, and sighted.  The scope, rings, and rifle were a perfect match.  Gary was very pleased with the outcome and so were we.  We then proceeded to do a little sighting with it in the neighborhood and boy was it impressive.  This setup will deliver.  Before leaving we set Gary up with some hand loaded 168grn rounds.  We will provide a follow up to this when he gets out and range tests his new rig.

We hope he enjoys it as much as we did getting it setup. He was glad to allow us to provide you with some photo’s.

If you are interested in a complete rifle package please contact us here at D9 and we will be glad to configure a scoped rifle package of your choice.

Varmint season is quickly approaching and at D9Firearms we’ve been preparing. We’ve just recently outfitted several Tikka T3 Varmint rifles which are awesome out of the box rifles and are very accurate. However, there are other rifles out there and one we’ve been working with is the Remington 700.

The Remington 700 is a staple in just about everyone’s collection. Remington is an excellent manufacturer and the 700 action is probably the most common and well known. Most precision and custom made rifles are based on the 700 action. And for a couple of hundred dollars a gunsmith can accurize this rifle with blue printing, bedding and working the trigger.

We purchased two Remington 700 models one in the VLS in .243Win and the VSF in .223. We also have the SPS in 22-250 on order and is due to arrive this week. Our purpose is to evaluate each one on how it performs out of the box. Is the action smooth, how is the trigger, accuracy, and economics? Hopefully our findings here at D9 will provide you with some insight when looking at a Remington 700 model.

The first rifle we purchased was the Remington 700 VLS (Varmint Laminated Stock). It is a beautiful gun with a Monte Carlo cheek piece, with a wide, flat, beaver tail shape fore-end, and a 26” heavy blued barrel. We outfitted this one with a Sightron 4×16x42 w/mil-dot reticule. Since we didn’t have any hand loads worked up we went with a box of factory ammunition. The bolt action felt very solid but seemed a bit stiff when locking and loading. Although the scope wasn’t sighted, we started with a couple of rounds to see how the rifle felt. The weight of the gun is a definite factor on lessening the recoil and was enjoyable to shoot. However, the first thing I noticed was the trigger, even before I brought it to the range. For a varmint/bench rifle why would they put a 5lb or 6lb trigger pull? I was equally disappointed when I looked at the groupings. After a couple more rounds it was time to move on. After getting back from the range it was time to send out a couple of emails and do a little research on rehabbing the trigger or dropping it and putting in an aftermarket. We ended up ordering and installing a Timney trigger assembly with a 1.5 – 3lb pull ($80). Installing the trigger was not too difficult and took about a half hour, ok an hour. Next we were also able to work up a couple of hand loads for it. About a month later it was time to bring it back out and test out the changes. Changing the trigger made a significant difference combined with the hand loads put us solidly in the bulls. It seemed to hold right at an inch. Part of this was getting acclimated to the trigger and part due to testing new loads. Just recently we took it back out with some new loads using Hogdon H414 powder and Hornady 70grn HPBT bullets. That seemed to be a very good combination. So overall the rifle is a solid shooter but you will want to install an after market trigger or take it to a gunsmith and have the trigger worked over. Our recommendation would be for the Timney or Rifle Basix trigger since it offers you the adjustability. We give it thumbs up in quality, accuracy (after the trigger install), and reliability; however I would expected a better trigger for the cost. I’ll still keep the rifle because it does perform and if you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars it will be worth it.

Just recently we also purchased a Remington 700 in the VFS (Varmint Synthetic Fluted) in the .223 to replace a CZ 457 Varmint.(Topic for another day.) However, this rifle receiver is mounted on a H.S Precision composite stock with reinforced aramid fibers and full length aluminum bedding block. (H.S makes an excellent stock. The CZ also has the H.S. and this was one reason for going with the VSF.) The stock has a contoured beavertail fore-end with ambidextrous finger groves, large palm swell (this is nice) and duel front swivel studs for a sling and bipod. The barrel is a 26” heavy contour with six longitudinal flutes, for added heat dissipation and weight reduction. The barrel also has a concave target style crown. Immediate overall impression was this is going to be a shooter. Next and fatal impression again was the trigger. I just don’t understand it, why do this to a varmint/bench rifle. We immediately ordered a new trigger and went with a Rifle Basix trigger this time. It took about an hour to install and was very pleased with the bench test. Next we mounted a Sightron 4×16x42 w/mil-dot reticule and then reassembled the rifle and put it back in the safe. In a few weeks we will get it out and give you an update. Our suspicion is that with the right load this rifle is going to allow us to effectively reduce the prairie dog population of western Kansas.

As always we hope this information would prove benefical. If you are interested in purchasing a new Remington please contact us and we will be glad to assist you. Thank you and good shooting.

At D9Firearms we don’t like to sound like a broken record but we came across an excellent deal through one of our vendors.  They were having a close out special on the Tikka T3 Varmint in Stainless Steel in multiple calibers.  The rifles had been discounted to that less than the standard blued models.  I couldn’t help myself, I immediately ordered several of each caliber they had in stock.  I immediately sent out an email to anyone I knew who was interested in a high quality varmint rifle.  I had some immediate takers and listed the rest on the auction web sites.

One person in particular, who is my neighbor Dave, has been interested in a good varmint rifle but had very limited exposure.  He knew the common names, which there is nothing wrong them any of them, but had never heard of Tikka until we showed him our personal holdings.  He was even more skeptical of the synthetic stock and then we tossed the optics requirement in the mix.  Now Dave is a very astute and learned individual and very knowledgeable of firearms he’s interested in, but it would have been easier to take him to the dentist, than convince him on this rifle.  However, this economic opportunity provided enough incentive plus the personal guarantee to him from D9 that we would take it back if it turned out not to be as good as sliced bread.

Dave bought off on the project but I could tell his skepticism and to compound it more we started on the optics.  Once again he had limited experience with a scoped rifle and had no idea on evaluating the optics.  We covered several issues on the optics such as; what was the max distance, what type of target (preferably killer prairie dogs), type of reticule, clarity of optics (especially on the edges), adjustability, and economics.

As with anything you pay for what you get.  Now we know people who love to have a $900 rifle and put a $75 optic on it.  That’s like buying a suit at Brookes Brothers and going to Wal-Mart to buy the tie.  (I am not disparaging Wal-Mart they are a great economic engine.)  But optics is one of those issues where everyone knows best and best is Leupold.  I’m personally not sold that they are the best but they are good.  I also have my favorites but we still look to the customer to get their input.

However, in the case of Dave the ball was in our court to make a solid recommendation for project to meet the guarantee and stay within a reasonable budget.  I have just recently started purchasing Sightron and have a write up on them as well.  Since I own them I felt comfortable recommending it in the event I had to take it back.  So we outfitted a new Tikka T3 Varmint SS in .308 with a Sightron 4×16x42 w/plex reticule.  When outfitting a scoped package for our clients we also mount, align, and bore sight the scope.

Our next step was including him in another hobby of ours, reloading.  Dave came over and we set up the press and knocked out a hundred rounds of 168grn Sierra Match King HPBT using Alliant Reloader 15.  I have a known good recipe that I’ve been using for my Tikka T3 Varmint and DPMS LR-308 that has consistently delivered sub MOA accuracy to at least 200yds.

Finally, the day came when we had a range rally with him, some new acquaintances that were looking to test out one of our DPMS AR-15’s, and another friend of ours Mike testing out his new DPMS LR-308 w/Sightron 4×16x42 w/mil-dot reticule.  (Topics for the next blog)  So Dave was excited and proceeded to setup shop and get ready for the test.  I left him to his own devices so as not to influence the miracle of sliced bread to him.  Out of the box he was on the paper at 100yd with reasonable grouping (not sub MOA).  Not to worry, he dialed his scope in and proceeded to test several more groups and by his 4^th round his groups were tightening.  After checking targets he proceeded with another round and if a picture were worth a thousand words I would have not needed to write this.  But his groupings tighten to multiple rounds in a 5 shot group all touching.

Dave did take the risk on yet another test out to the 200yd line and let’s just say that he held 1” at 200yd.  So I didn’t need to take the rifle back and he’s ready to work up some new loads and try it again.

So another non-believer has seen the light and we have forgiven him for his skepticism and look forward to some more awesome shooting.  (All in good spirit).

If you have any questions or would like a Tikka T3 Varmint please contact us here at D9Firearms.

We had the opportunity to take out one of our favorite person’s who is one of the Plowboys BBQ master griller and website designer extraordinaire. Todd has been assisting us here at D9Firearms in setting up our website and working with us to become self sufficient in handling our website content and management. In return for his hard work we asked him what he would like to test out at the range. Since he has never fired a pistol, don’t knock him we all have to start sometime, we packed our pistol range suitcase with a variety of wares sure to suit his palette and just for fun we tossed an AR-15 into the mix to get things smokin.

As one of our services at D9Firearms we offer range services that allow our clients to test a variety of pistol manufacturers and calibers, which is especially beneficial when they have not had much exposure or just being able to test out a new caliber. So we selected a variety of test pistols in every action and in law enforcement calibers to give our shooters a comprehensive range to choose from. Since most of our clients were looking for a carry conceal and home defense pistol that still offered accuracy, control and was fun to target shoot we choose primarily all compact models with 4” barrels. Of course we did cover our bases with a target semi-auto and large revolver.

At D9Firearms when selecting a caliber for CCW or Home Defense (HD) (men & women) 9mm is the smallest caliber we recommend. One of our most important philosophies when working with clients on CCW or HD is making sure if you have to use your firearm in a situation, it is reliable, accurate, and provides one shot resolution. Another concern is that the owner is comfortable with the operation. Does he or she need to think about what to do, have to inspect, or fumble around? It needs to be second nature, because your focus needs to be on the situation, not thinking about how to operate your firearm. However, there are classes out there that train people more thoroughly than a couple of paragraphs, which we highly recommend taking if buying a firearm for CCW or HD.

As always we try to provide information that will help the shooter make the decision that best suits their needs. We encourage you to ask questions and discuss your needs so that we can provide you with the best option possible. Thanks for your interest.

Springfield Armory XD-9 Compact

To start things off we set Todd up with a Springfield Armory XD-9 (9mm) Compact just to get him acclimated to a semi-auto pistol. Todd picked it up immediately and put a couple of clips down range. Since it was his first pistol shooting experience we didn’t hold him to putting it on the paper or bulls eye immediately. The Springfield XD package comes with lockable carry case, cleaning kit, 2 magazines, and plastic carry holster. The pistol operates in a double action (DA) only giving the shooter the same trigger pull every shot. It has two safeties, a trigger safety and palm grip safety and has a 3 dot fixed sighting system.

A few points on the Springfield to consider is the slide on the frame seems a little oversized, which adds a little weight (good & bad), but still is comparable in overall size to other similar compact pistols. The pistol shoots well and is reliable, but I have not been successful in accuracy arena, possibly due to lack of practice with it. Overall the pistol is well built, easy to take down, seems very robust (in the event you have to use it as a hammer in the last line of defense when dealing with malcontents), and is competitively priced. Also, they have a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.

NOTE: 9 mm is the smallest caliber we recommend for both men and women shooters as a primary self defense caliber.

Para Ordnance Limited LDA .40

Next we set Todd up with my personal Para Ordnance Limited LDA .40. It has adjustable rear sights, competition 5” barrel and springs, and has their Light Double Action (LDA) trigger. This pistol is an excellent shooter and very accurate even in the hands of a beginner. Todd picked this one up and within two shots was on the paper and then very quickly pulled a couple into the black. The gun is setup in a traditional 1911 style with one exception the LDA trigger. How the LDA trigger works is that it functions as a double action (DA) only with an extremely light trigger pull that allows the shooter to hold the hammer in an almost full cocked position. Once you have the target it only takes a light pull to fire the pistol. This could also be very deceptive to an un-invited home appliance bargain shopper, since most people know that traditional 1911’s are single action. I feel this also adds to the accuracy of the gun. What surprised me the most about the gun is that it is made in Canada. I would have not associated a peace loving, pacifist, anti-gun, socialist, nation to produce such a fine instrument, but they have and it will deliver. Para makes several models and I have been very pleased with the two that I own, the second is discussed below. Depending on the clients needs I may recommend Para and I would not hesitate to recommend them for quality and accuracy.

Fabrique National Herstal USA FNP-40

For our next round we stayed with the .40cal but went to a single action/double action (SA/DA) tactical pistol with FNH’s FNP-40. Todd took a few shoots prior to the range master calling time out and we went on to the next choice without him fully experiencing the SA/DA action. FNH is an interesting manufacturer; they produce several of our military’s light machine guns and have a line of extremely accurate sniper rifles available to the public. However, they are an example of a manufacture with high quality, durable, accurate, and reliable products that has failed in marketing. Regardless the FNP SA/DA action allows the shooter to cock the hammer for a single action operation (light trigger pull) or if time does not permit a full double action first shot and then into single action shooting. This has its benefits and draw backs and is really up to the shooter if they want this type of pistol. From an accuracy aspect in single action mode it is easy to place it in the black and pull it in from there. I would not hesitate to recommend this gun to someone wanting the SA/DA action pistol and makes an excellent vehicle or home defense weapon. Also, across the board their firearms are very reasonably priced for the quality, making them an excellent value choice.

Para Ordnance PXT .45cal.

It was time for the big guns to come out and we brought out another one of our favorite manufacturer’s pistol’s the 1911 PXT in a .45cal. This pistol is a traditional 1911 style commander pistol with a 4” barrel with a single stack frame. Todd stepped up to the chopping block and squeezed off a hand full of rounds putting most of them on the paper. The most obvious difference was the recoil, yet it is entirely manageable and is out of the box accurate which surprised me. The PXT has the heavy duty extractor and operates in a SA mode only. The pistol has a single stack 7 round magazine and has an incredibly slim frame. The sights have a 3 dot fixed sighting. If you want the extra punch in a pistol I would recommend this one. This is a fun range gun to shoot since it’s so accurate and would also make an excellent choice for a home defense or vehicle pistol. I wouldn’t recommend it for CCW. From a quality, accuracy, and reliability this is an excellent choice and the cost is in line with comparable pistols.

Taurus CIA 651 .357Mag

By this point Todd opted to let the children step up so we put my oldest son, who is seventeen, up to the line to fire this little snub nosed pocket rocket. Here is an example of the author getting a lesson in revolvers. I have not been a big wheel gun guy especially for a primary CCW weapon and especially not in a 1” snub nose. But I have had several calls for these and never felt comfortable recommending them since I haven’t fired them or owned them. I purchased this one for test purposes and to be more knowledgeable when speaking to my customers. I loaded it up with some .38’s for the first test and fired from 5 yards. Not only was I on the paper but solidly in the black bordering on bulls. Also the pistol was very controllable and did not hammer your hand. Next I loaded up some .357’s and took the same test and found I wasn’t as solidly or controllably in the black but I was there. It did pack sufficient more punch but that was expected.

After that little test my overall impression was changed. I found that this is a great little gun. The shrouded hammer gave you the option for SA or DA. Also, the shrouded hammer would not catch on your clothing making especially beneficial for a CCW pistol. I still would not carry it as a primary but in the event you just needed something quick to stick in your pocket with a low profile this is an excellent choice. This would also be an excellent choice for a less experienced shooter. Finally, for the money Taurus offers a lifetime warranty, produces a very good revolver, and is very economically priced.

Glock 22 .40cal

It was unfortunate but we ran out of time before we could sample another mainstay in the pistol arsenal. However, I will still pen a few words about what I think is an excellent pistol. These guns have been put through the test and they just work. I use the G 23 as one of my personal defense weapons and installed a 3.5lb trigger in it. I’ve been very pleased with the out of the box accuracy and have never had a malfunction. The strongest point I have on this gun is the accuracy and least amount of rounds fired through it to accomplish sold black and strong bulls shooting. I like the frame size and the fit in my hand. Since have a smaller hand this gun does very well for me. The compact model may not be as well suited for a person with a larger hand or with longer fingers. Overall this is a gun I recommend to clients for a variety of applications and the cost is very reasonable and inline with other comparable pistols.

I briefly discussed the new optics we started using here at D9. I guess it’s better late then never. But here is a classic example of the marketing department a sleep at the wheel probably being run by the engineers. And we know what kind of marketers they are. (No offense my real job is as a control’s engineer.) Needless to say, there are lots of blogs and articles on Sightron that rave about what a great scope it is. Enough about their marketing short falls and on to the nut of it.

I have replaced 4 of my existing scopes with Sightron 4×16x42 and one 6.5×20 (yet to be mounted). I have also shown them to two of my clients and each one decided to go with them for their long range varmint and target rifles. Both of which today confirmed their great satisfaction with the optics and rifles while out at the range. (T3 Varmint .308 & DPMS LR-308 24″ both with 4×16x42 Sightrons) I also managed to get my Remington 700 VLS .243 w/Timney trigger and Sightron 4×16x42 w/MD reticule zero’d in with some new hand loads.

There are several points about this scope which meet our criteria for quality, reliablity, accuracy and overal value for the money. When comparing these to other scopes in their range (Leupold, Burris, Nikon, Bushnell) Sightron’s glass seems much clearer and sharper. One immediate observation is the glass is as crisp in the center as it is on the edge. They come with target turrets for ease of sighting in. They come with both side focus and objective focus adjustments. (I like the side focus better, but it becomes a matter of economics at this point.)

Three of the four scopes I have, have mil dot reticule. This is another one of my preferences espically for longer range shooting. It’s a nice feature and also assists with range finding. The reticule is also very sharp and lends itself well to the clarity of the optics.

Since I live in a suburban neighborhood I must lazer sight my scopes in at night. This is another good test for the optic to determine how well will it transmit in low light. I would not recommend sneaking around the perimeter of any of my neighbors homes or mine, I will see you.
Overall it is a very good scope for the money and I would recommend it for a mid range optic. The scopes I have provided and use seem to be well suited for the task at hand of target and varmint shooting. They also have lower price range optics which would be well suited for deer rifles and small caliber. For varmint and target rifles you could expect to pay $300 - $550 for these optics.
Hopefully this will provide you with some insight in chosing an optic best suited for you. If we can help you please contact us here at D9Firearms.com